This publication provides a practical guide for managing the presence and use of portable self-energised electrical and electronic devices within potentially explosive atmospheres. It provides a structured approach which can be followed by site personnel supervising and managing the presence and use of portable self-energised electrical and electronic devices on a day-to-day basis.

This document aims to provide guidance in relation to the electrical ignition risks within areas with potentially explosive atmospheres. It therefore includes:

• vapours and mists – such as petroleum products;
• gases – such as hydrogen, and
• combustible dusts – such as food products and cement.

The guidance only covers electrical ignition risks from self-energised devices (including those powered by extra-low voltage), and therefore  mechanical sources of ignition and devices powered by mains electricity are not covered. However, some of the guidance within this
document (such as section 12) may have some useful guidance which can be applied to the use of equipment powered by mains electricity.

The guidance only covers portable devices, and as such does not cover any fixed equipment within the plant (such as lighting), or isolatable equipment which is fixed to vehicles (such as reversing cameras). It also only considers industrial facilities and does not aim to provide guidance on the use of portable self-energised electrical and electronic devices in public areas such as service stations or transportation on public roads.

The document also considers the purpose of a cargo inspection and summarises the general responsibilities, and describes detailed procedures which inspectors are required to follow and provides references to analytical test methods and calculations.

The document describes detailed procedures which inspectors are required to follow and provides references to analytical test methods and calculations. Reference is made to alternative methods since the procedures recognise that within the industry opinions may vary regarding the use of test methods, especially where different methods may be specified by parties and contractors.

The Blue Book is the established technical guidance for the storage and dispensing of petroleum products used as fuels for motor vehicles (including petrol, diesel and autogas (also known as LPG). It provides information on civil, mechanical, hydraulic and electrical installation issues for the planning, design, construction, commissioning, modification, maintenance and decommissioning of filling stations, together with information aimed to minimise the risks from fire and explosion, to health and to the environment.

It has been produced jointly by the Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration (APEA) and the Service Station Panel of the Energy Institute (EI). Considerable technical input has also been provided by the UK Health and Safety Executive and Environment Agency, along with other industry stakeholders in the UK.

Key technical changes in the new edition of 319 pages include:

• Updates to sections covering above-ground and below-ground storage tanks to reflect industry good practice including the need to test tank chambers on site.
• Changes to the recommendation of hazardous areas on filling stations which covers longer hoses used in the industry and also covering mobile payment options.
• The special safety requirements for pressure pumping systems.
• Incorporation of guidance covering fuels containing bio-components up to the allowable amounts identified in EN 228 and EN 590 (technical information is provided for fuels containing higher amounts of bio-component).
• Development of guidance on engineered control measures for attended self-service (ASS) and unattended self-service (USS) sites. This technical guidance is in alignment with the operational guidance contained in the publication Petrol filling stations guidance on managing the risks of fire and explosion (the Red guide) produced by the Petroleum Enforcement Liaison Group.
• Updates to sections on vapour recovery to reflect changes in UK legislation and the uptake of stage 2 vapour recovery.Updates to sections on leak detection and changes which reflect the environmental concerns for Class 11 systems.
• The importance of maintaining leak detection systems to ensure safe storage.
• Guidance in the Electrical section on the installation and safe operation of electrical vehicle charging points on filling stations.
• Updates to sections on LPG to ensure alignment with UKLPG Codes of practice.Updates of the Annex providing technical information on the storage and handling of AUS 32.

This fourth edition replaces that published by APEA/EI in 2011. Although the information is largely based on experience from the UK, and makes frequent reference to legislation applicable in the UK, it is anticipated that the general principles will be applicable in most regions internationally.